What's the Best Disinfectant for Reptile Enclosures?

Not all cleaners are rated equal. Today we share with you our top three picks for reptile disinfectants for reptile enclosures and decor, and why we use each one!
Link to Chlorhexidine: amzn.to/2BENjU9
MERCH STORE: teespring.com/...
Music by Bensound and KZbin studio library.

[@The_Robert.Fletcher]

A word of caution for people in the UK. When you buy bleach to make sure you get "Thin Bleach" most others for household cleaning has surfactants added. I use bleach in the Aquarium to clean certain filter components and to regenerate Purigen. Bleach is easily rinsed off and you can make sure by using a rinse containing water conditioner. Surfactants by their nature can be sticky.

[@zisforzoo16]

Robert Fletcher I hope they pin this so it can stay at the top

[@mokimon5079]

+ agree please pin this

[@przemyslawdobrzycki3733]

Very helpful thanks

[@isabeladamson2405]

Thanks man this helped a lot :D

[@АлисаПопович-т6п]

??

[@aswinkrishna5042]

Happy snake year 2019 Best wishes for 1 million subs

[@parkerloudermilk1756]

Aswin Krishna Happy snake year 2019

[@quintonwood493]

Hey

[@dr.cojones7655]

Aswin Krishna Happy snake year 2019!!!:3

[@aswinkrishna5042]

@@dr.cojones7655 hey! You too

[@aswinkrishna5042]

@@dr.cojones7655 btw where are you from!

[@dragoons7854]

Do another please, and you are amazing with keeping all your animals healthy and well feed. Thank you for teaching us

[@raelonewolf]

Chlorhexidine is great! We use it a lot for cleaning wounds in our Vet clinic. I never really thought about using it as an enclosure disinfectant before, so that was cool to learn about. I would be interested in seeing how hydrogen peroxide and alcohol stack up.

[@legendarymayormarylikestur8874]

They dont touch Chlorhexidine

[@raelonewolf]

@@legendarymayormarylikestur8874 Oh yeah I figured that -- I meant more of "between the two, which is better?" Chlorhexidine is definitely the best for daily spot-cleaning, but I like to know how other common household things stack up if you're out or waiting on a shipment or something.

[@battlebear437]

I personally use rubbing alcohol as my disinfectant of choice around my home. I’m not sure I’d use that for cleaning critters cages/tanks, but counter tops and mirrors, it does an amazing job on.

[@trevorbraden5448]

@@battlebear437 I use alcohol sometimes as long as it's all dried up before putting back in the reptile.... but chlorahexadine is cheap at tractor supply

[@battlebear437]

@@trevorbraden5448 ooh yeah. I wouldn’t put an animal back in until it was completely dried.

[@LadyVader]

You have to know your species, too. Most geckos, like the cresteds I have, lick all surfaces in their cage and get most of their hydration by being misted several times daily, so anything like bleach is a no-no unless you plan to leave the enclosure empty for a while (I would go with a week minimum to let the bleach fully evaporate after several rinses) and NEVER use a disinfectant with fully aquatic species like axolotls or any type of fish or frog.

[@youjustgotvectored3989]

Lady Vader Well said!

[@raerae9212]

True! You could also just rinse the enclosure with water that contains a heavy amount of a dechlorinator like Seachem Prime. It will chemically expedite the breakdown of the chlorine in bleach. We do it all the time in the fish keeping hobby.

[@soph1e]

Well said. She does say that these disinfectants are to be used in reptile enclosures though, not amphibians.

[@queenfopsie5442]

@@soph1e they said in the beginning they handled geckos

[@thebe1azi500]

Foxiana 123 yes but she didn't say she used them for the geckos

[@fiberofmybeing7869]

I'm super late to this video, but I found it extremely informative! Thanks so much Emily! One thing I would like to share is that bleach is pretty unstable once diluted. Once you mix it with water, it starts to degrade pretty quickly, so you don't want to pre-dilute bleach too far ahead of time. I worked at an animal shelter (only cats and dogs though), and when we would use bleach dilution for quarantined animal spaces, we would mix up a new batch every 24 hours. Just a helpful tip for those of you who want to use bleach dilution so you can ensure your bleach is still doing the most for you!

[@WinterMafia]

You have recommended Chlorhexidine before and I took that advice when I got my snake. I'm proud to report that it's helped me keep her healthy and she seems to be doing great otherwise!

[@KKJohnson1617]

I would be interested in a cleaning solutions pt 2! Going over other 3 cleaners you mentioned and perhaps comparing to reptile specific brand-name cleaners. Really informative video-thanks!!

[@msjelly1987]

we use chlorhex in the hospitals too. I'm a registered nurse abduction we use it for hand sanitizer, some wounds/cleaning skin before taking bloods and also use it to clean the hospital and the bed area between patients. love your videos Janelle (Melbourne, Australia)

[@Crypt1cmyst1c]

I'm watching this because I'm considering getting a snake soon, but when you said vinegar takes hardwater stains off, something clicked and now my glass shower door is beautiful. thanks!

[@chuuyanakahara1157]

You help me so much! I own a ball python, and you teach me so many things I didn’t know about snakes and other reptiles and amphibians. Thank you! 💝

[@chuuyanakahara1157]

Lol

[@for3stspirit]

@ForestofTooMuchFood *Scaley

[@StickyFeets]

Love the blue stuff. Chlorhexadine is also used to prep skin in the OR prior to surgery as well as for surgeons to scrub in. Nothing feels cleaner to me than after I use that on the snake tubs

[@ingeniouspixie]

Literally everything I've needed to know about keeping my snake has been in a Snake Discovery video. Thank you!!! 🧡🧡

[@OK-hi5ym]

My hope for 2019 is that this amazing channel makes it a MILLION subscribers (and beyond!!!) finding Snake Discovery was seriously a highlight of my 2018 and I want more people to be able to enjoy and love reptiles the way we do in this little SD community!

[@Thurston86]

They’re almost at 3M now!

[@kitten141234]

I got so happy when i relized the brand was “our family “ vinegar because i work at a family fare and thats our brand and just like idk yay.

[@snakesandpsychology]

I'm in the UK too and ordered some Chlorhexadine solution from Ecolab which is 2% concentration (as is the bottle Emily is showing) so a ratio of 1 part solution to 32 parts water gives a final concentration of 0.0625% for any geeks out there. Great video!

[@bigbirdbigbird]

Ooo, yes, please make a part 2 for this vid about the other three chemicals you use! This was very informative! 😊👍🏻❤️

[@jroyer9996]

Love this channel. So much raw info and tips. If only the whole reptile community was like this we would all be family as it should be.

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

Great video! One thing that is really important to note about disinfectants is they need to sit for a certain amount of time to be efficient. It also won't fully sanitize if the surface is "soiled" as in there is debris stuck because the disinfectant cannot fully penetrate. Each disinfectant has a different sit time, but I don't think I've ever seen one that was shorter than 5 minutes. Usually they say on the instructions. Alcohol for example is recommended to set, saturated on the surface until it evaporates, and I believe bleach is 10 minutes.

[@smOVERCOMINGITALL]

i love videos like this because you never see the typical like pet youtuber talking about things like this. I know you guys are more educational and professional in terms of the trade, but this kind of stuff is REALLY good information and i think it should be shared more.

[@Chunka-munka]

I’ve been watching your videos for days now and I just want to say thank you because you have been a huge help in teaching me how to care for my California kingsnake. He is my first reptile and I’m obsessed with him ❤️

[@indisguise96]

Yes! So excited for this video!! I work at an animal rescue here in Minnesota and have learned a lot about disinfecting. It's helped when I also started working at a pet store/doggy daycare combo.

[@andy7221]

My two daughters love watching your vlogs. You have a huge knowledge and such a great ability to share that knowledge with us all. We would benefit from a schools programme here in England that allows children to get up close to reptiles.

[@nicolelynn6067]

i don’t even need to watch these videos it just keeps me entertained and satisfied idk just to learn or sum

[@entitysexotics3884]

I’m glad you posted this as I was literally scouring the web for disinfectant recommendations from trusted sources. I’d love to see a video comparing the pros and cons of f10 and even a bit of information regarding how it stacks up against the chlorhexidine.

[@ZooCoe]

give Rex a happy new year to celebrate her life

[@samcowen2139]

I always love your videos can’t wait for 2019 videos☺️☺️👍👍

[@Gothic_Penguin]

Chlorhexidine is one of my favorite smells xD I worked in veterinary and it is one thing I loved smelling just cleaning up wounds and cleaning down counters

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

I wouldn't mind seeing more of these types of videos. I would even watch you guys just cleaning honestly. As long as you talked to use about what you are doing.

[@snakesrule7067]

I’m watching this for the bearded dragon I bought about an hour ago! He’s doing great so far!

[@tommyb1two3]

Absolutely love these videos, so many useful tips and lots of practical info. Also love that you do hands on demos for a lot of the things you talk about so we can see how they are put into practice...especially handling snakes etc.

[@stephandharley99]

I have 2 dogs & 3 cats. We use hydrogen peroxide and alcohol 70% to clean up any accidents and stuff like that and they work amazing. No need to spend money on those carpet cleaning products that don't even work! Love your videos! Happy New Years!

[@solarbear3621]

I'm not even planning to own reptiles, but you make these topics so interesting. Keep up the good work! :)

[@_emma.regan_]

I love how I don’t even own reptiles and I still watch every one of your videos

[@heyher_the_odd]

Yay!!! Starting the new year with new Snake Discovery!!!

[@happythecat3765]

I just got a snake a week ago! Bless all of are earth and thank you so much for inspiring me! I got a ball python and named him cylus!

[@imagine3x]

I'm getting a ball python next July, so I'm watching all of these videos to help me figure out things. Thanks for having these eduacational vids! You look very pretty, btw.

[@emgiemaico]

me, not owning any pet, getting notified about the video: OMG!! i gots to knowwww!!!!

[@Kluleess]

I've been wondering about my cleaning routine. There are too many products that offer the same results. THANK YOU for giving me some clear guidance on this issue.

[@beancrow]

I had no connection but because this was a notification so this is the only video I can watch, I am not mad

[@eileenodonnell4691]

I simply love this channel. Enough said.

[@kerupillay6107]

A huge fan of your channel - from South Africa. Honestly though, I'm afraid of snakes 😅 I just love this channel.

[@blvvdy.kisses]

Same

[@annapettit8045]

Same! 🇿🇦

[@stevefromcorporate9984]

Same

[@bellehollins]

Starting the new year fresh and clean!

[@patshhi4620]

Hi Emily, I thought you might want to know this. There was a lady in Brian Barczyk’s zoo who had your Snake Discovery T-shirt on.

[@TophewofMordor]

Thank you Emily!!! I needed this video for my first snake I got yesterday

[@mikelagalea6180]

how is your little buddy and what type of snake is he/she

[@TophewofMordor]

@@mikelagalea6180 beautiful Kenyan Sandboa. A couple years old too not a baby

[@aetherfloats]

I am extremely sensitive to the smell of bleach since my ex-step-mother used to mix bleach and ammonia (yes, that is very very very toxic) and would make me clean the mud room/laundry room with it when I was 9. (Yes, it could have killed me. Apparently she "didn't know" it was toxic.) So these days, I can't even use it. So you recommending Chlorhexidine is basically a life saver for me!! I didn't know about it. I'll still try and use bleach when necessary, but I'll probably have my boyfriend do the honors of that.

[@manifestshadow1496]

I'm a firefighter and when I heard PPE I got confused until I looked at the screen. whoops lol I've only had 3 hours of sleep.

[@theblabarmy]

Get some more sleep lol

[@manifestshadow1496]

@@theblabarmy lol I wish it worked that way. The pagers don't care if you want to sleep, are sleeping, eating, or showering. They go off whenever they are told and house fires like to wake people up niceeeee and early. So 1-3 am rolls around and the pager wants to sing you the song of it's people and you have to get up to go see it's concert. Sometimes the concert have flames and explosions and sometimes it has blood and glass everywhere. Sometimes you get a mix of both and sometimes you don't get anything and you can go back to bed.

[@Aqil1999Ikhwandi]

Lol I’m taking accountancy and it triggered me too cause I’m used with PPE being Plant, Property and Equipment hahahaha

[@manifestshadow1496]

@@Aqil1999Ikhwandi I just thought she randomly switched to talking about firefighters and was trying to tell everyone the safety procedures we follow.lol

[@heysaucemikehere1804]

Manifest Shadow1 Thank you so much for doing what you do! I have so much respect for you.

[@lu7702]

Great timing! Was just about to dedicate my day to cleaning two walls of enclosures. White/cleaning vinegar is a lifesaver. That chlorhexidine looks like it would be helpful to have on hand too, though.

[@CrimFerret]

I volunteered at a ferret rescue shelter for a few years and we used Nolvasan (properly diluted) for pretty much everything including spraying down ourselves after handling any of the animals. It uses chlorhexidine diacytacetate rather than chlorhexidine gluconate and is effective against viruses while the latter isn't for the most part. Considering how much you dilute it, it's worth paying the extra for the Nolvasan. Half a cup of bleach is way too much in a gallon. 1 tablespoon is all it takes or 3/4ths teaspoon in a 32 oz spray bottle. You'll still want gloves, but the fumes shouldn't get that bad in a reasonable sized room. Use room temp water by the way.

[@yaenathelazystudent4917]

I was playing the game 5 second rule with my friends a while ago where I should name 3 things within 5 seconds. Then they asked me to name 3 kinds of snakes and since I have been binge watching your videos for days now, I answered it with ease. I said Hognose Ball Python Garter which I did not know because the only snakes I know are cobras and rattlesnake. My friends did not believe me and I told them to go and watch your videos. STAY AWESOME. 🎉🎉🎉

[@soarrefly]

Your eye makeup is so nice omg. I'm really happy that you made a video about this! I'm so paranoid about which chemicals are okay for their habitat cleaning that I've only been sticking to water and baking soda only for all this time. I hope that much is okay, what do you say?

[@alexismartin208]

Happy 2019. Gonna hit more than a million this year! I know it!

[@Blindfold-Me]

I think I speak for everyone when I say... this channel is awesome ❤️

[@csu111]

Simple Green D concentrate is amazing. One gallon will last years for most herps. Four ounces/gallon works great for reptiles.

[@leviticus864]

Great advice, I use chlorhexidine myself and have never had an issue with it.

[@bellawilliams5800]

Your videos are always so helpful.

[@aliward9818]

I've been waiting for a video like this! It was so helpful, thank you!

[@derick3183]

HAPPY NEW YEARS SNAKE DISCOVERY 🐍 thanks for entertaining us and for the feedback you give us to learn how to care for our reptiles. You’ve been the best you tuber for 2018 make it the same for 2019. LOVE YOU ALOT

[@Nenezilla]

I have no reptiles, but subbed because your videos are wonderful!

[@anna-maykettlewell4599]

In the UK we get F10 reptile disinfectant ready to use with my two royal pythons and it works really well. Its efrective against bacteria, fungi, spores and viruses and it is suitable for every day use. Great thing is it is non-toxic to the animal. I make sure my two are i there travel boxes when cleaning

[@piperb2479]

Awesome video! I’d love a video explaining when you should clean your reptile cage!!

[@jenniferhislop7007]

Chorahexedine is a fantastic and very safe disinfectant. Even some mouthwash contains chlorhexidine. For my crested gecko I use chorahexedine for disinfecting, and I use a razor and dechlorinated water to clean the glass.

[@patrickhaljand1262]

Let this new year give us more Ghost Bull snakes. Happy new year to Snake Discovery and all of their reptiles!

[@skellyrobin]

Happy new year Emily! You’ve been so helpful! 🤩🥳🥳❤️❤️🔥🔥

[@battlebear437]

Who disliked this video? My gosh! This is great information and it’s important to know this stuff!

[@sitrustree2716]

I have accidentally hit the dislike button in the past so maybe that's what happened. Or maybe it's just some people scared of the government idk

[@battlebear437]

Sitrus Tree I can see that, but, you/they could hit it again to get rid of the dislike. Quick question, though, what does the government have to do with liking/disliking this video? Or is it maybe, too much regulation?

[@sitrustree2716]

@@battlebear437 oh no it was a the government is reptiles joke. I'm sorry it's very cringey. But one time I opened a video and noticed I disliked it by accident

[@battlebear437]

Sitrus Tree oh...lol. Gotcha!

[@battlebear437]

Sitrus Tree I’m slow today. I should’ve said, “How dare you compare politics* to reptiles! What did those poor reptiles do to deserve such harsh treatment?” *politics - poli meaning many; ticks meaning a bloodsucking insect.

[@em.be.]

Happy New Year, you brighten my every day

[@jeremyhellen8234]

I don't know if it's just me, but her eyes really stand out in this video.

[@dianeaylesbury3072]

Happy New Year to Emily and Ed, thanks for your time and effort and videos. From Diane Southampton UK

[@williepirie5329]

Thank you for this video Happy new year to you and yours 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@solarvoid1006]

she deserves 1 million subs and more

[@ExquisiteExotics]

We use F10 and hydrogen peroxide fairly often. Would love to see you compare these as well. :)

[@mdelreal21]

In a previous video (“10 products every snake owner should have”) you say to dilute the chlorhexidine with a ratio of 30 mL per gallon of water, which you say is equivalent to 2 tbsps/gallon of water. But in this video you say to use 1/2 cup/gallon of water. Could you clairify what the correct dilution ratio is for the chlorhexidine? Thank you!!

[@SakaeDoragon]

Same! I’m trying to find the right amount for a 7oz bottle.

[@miahdrew1829]

My mom for Christmas got me ALL of your merch and they are finally all here! I'm in love with them! Also can you do a video on how you set up your enclosure for Peanut?

[@katieappleton7369]

This really helped, thank you. Happy new year 🥳💛✨

[@reptilesrodents]

thank you Emily your just a wealth of knowledge and I appreciate everything you share with us. To you and Ed happy new year's it was a great one and let's continue our reptile lives together in 2019. Have a great day

[@miao2572]

Happy New Year! Hope you have a safe, healthy, and successful year!

[@sammythai99]

I use F10 (veterinary cleaner) I spray my tubs with water and clean up a paper towel and then use the f10 to wipe it down. For good cleaning days I use dish soap and scrub them and then put them in the sun (I live in Thailand) then I use the F10

[@austrolonium8115]

I’m a bird owner, and I just started to use vinegar. I immediately noticed the difference from just diluted disinfectant from my local supermarket in my birds’ enclosure, I’m very surprised how well the vinegar solution worked, I noticed that using a mixture of the disinfectant and vinegar solution, with 2 cups water works the best for me.

[@SoullessMermaidGames]

I use barbicide which is a hospital grade disinfectant that we use in salons/barbershops to disinfect against everything (bacteria, viruses, fungi, blood) cause it has no smell or fumes. And it's made to not be corrosive to anything like bleach is. You can get it at hair supply stores. I read bleach doesn't penetrate the surface level of feces to kill viruses inside it. I know chlorhexidine is great too but idk if it does anything for viruses, I think it's more for fungus and bacteria only

[@auzzie671]

Update on the scale less snakes ! :)

[@alienfromarea5175]

YESSSS

[@lesliejohnson2982]

I liked this video. I'd love to see more. Maybe should have mentioned the ammonia + bleach = toxic gas problem.

[@nurturedbynature6083]

Yes!! Thank you for posting this I've been researching this recently bc I was using Wipeout and it's so expensive. Please do the follow-up video about F10 I've been considering that as well and it would really help!!

[@lobo3928]

I literally use vinegar for everything (orally & topically and for both humans and canines, in house cleaning of all sizes and I use vinegar and baking soda w the detergent when washing my clothes) and this is the first time I was made aware of the fact that there are two different strengths of vinegar, one for cleaning and one for people use.

[@rachelwoodward5476]

Came to this video to learn how to safely clean and disinfect my beardies tank. She passed away a few days ago and i don’t want to leave the tank to long

[@Wolfprincess90]

Love this video. Keeping pets in general it is important to understand the cleaning products necessary. I use bleach on occasion, I have also use F10 and I use antibacterial soap, not really for disinfectant, but for order control in some of my enclosures, mainly my Columbian tegu as she can really stink up the place. :) I would love to see your next set up of cleaning supplies.

[@TheMermaidSewist]

Could you do an updated video on a more complete process talking about how often you clean as part of regular care, at what depth of disinfection, and how you might work around factors like bioactive set ups or organic decore like branches. I know the size of your collection probably increases your cleaning compared to someone with only a few animals. I am curious about like how often you would spot clean vs, deep clean, vs full sterilization, for different set ups.

[@nublyfe4realz308]

Happy New Year Snake Discovery!!

[@sitrustree2716]

Emily can you make a poll that finds how many viewers actually has a snake, how many are planning on getting one very soon, and who many who neither has nor will get one soon.

[@heyher_the_odd]

Can you please do a video explaining the spider morph and do more in depth explanation of the potential neurological issues? A lot of people who do videos on spider morph are breeding BP with that morph. So they have a bit of a vested interest in promoting the morph. It would be great to see a different opinion on the morph. Thank you!!

[@BEATCUTTERZMUSIC]

What you use to clean reptile cork bark is your tank ThankYou

[@harrispinkham]

Happy New Year! Yes please do a comparison with F10. Love your vids

[@rocki_bb]

If you are deep cleaning and it's an item you can submerge, you can use bleach at a MUCH lower concentration than 1/2 cup per gallon. It requires leaving the items submerged in the solution for an extended period of time. But you can use 2 teaspoons of bleach to purify 10 gallons of water for drinking, so 1/2 cup of bleach per 10 gallons and allowing items to soak for an hour should work well if any poop or other materials have already been manually removed from the item. Always rinse with hot water to help remove any bleach that may still be present, and if the item feels slippery rinse again

[@KaraEl-K]

Can we get a 2019 breeding plan video?? I would love to see what you’re working on for new babies in the new year!

[@dmeowcat37]

Oh hey, a chlorhexidine rinse is what my doctors are having me use to keep my wisdom tooth surgery site clean now that it's over! I'd never heard of it before my doctors told me to use it, but the more I learn about it, the more it seems like a really magical thing to use lol! (The rinse was of course a prescription medication that I got, not just a bottle of the stuff lol)

[@deb6834]

Awesome video! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

[@calentations5111]

8:46 look at the sink it is Pickle Rick

[@tamabeachsurvivor3348]

RIIIIIIIIICK

[@rosetownsend6130]

I know you are a professional at this, but what I found useful for my bearded dragon is a spray called Awesome (to clean his cage and it also is great for red stains and is like the liquid version of a magic eraser) that you can find in dollar stores. I dilute it and let it air (40 gallon tank with a wire top) for an hour or two (doesn't really affect skin and not strong fumes, safe around most animals and children but still keep away lol). I also, after that, get about a teaspoon or half a teaspoon (my beardie turns 3 this new year so do this when i say around a year and a half) but I get half a teaspoon of applecider vinegar and about 2 cups of warm water. I let him soak, do his thing, then drain the sink and I do this once every couple of months, but its a bacteria bath. I do it because my grandma has COPD and just in case, i get a nice toothbrush and brush him down with it and rinse him THOROUGHLY just like its his shampoo and conditioner. Then right after, i put a little bit of olive oil on him (this is when he snuggles and goes to sleep) and let him relax under his lamp or on a heating pad. It helps a lot especially with any smell or if he got poop on him and its there (eww). :) just thought that was interesting. Also he likes orange juice sometimes and olive oil in his food. I do that as a treat and definitely NOT every week. But nutrients, nutrients.

[@jahotcbulldogs4879]

I was using vinegar for years and here recently found out it actually makes my snakes itch. Also is a natural deterrence used at the farm

[@hannahthefallenangel788]

What do you use now?

[@ITZ_mrr]

This video is a life saver!! Thank you!

[@yanggarbo1989]

good info as always. keep up the good work!